This question is more complex than it
seems.
Poverty is hunger. Poverty is homelessness. Poverty
is not been capable of attending school and learn. Poverty isthe
lack of work. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see
a doctor. Poverty is losing the respect of society. Poverty
is a slow dying process.
During the last years there has been a creation of a new
type of poverty, the Fourth World.
The term Fourth World was created in the 70's,
used to designate those people living in really
limited situations. Its founder was
Father Joseph Wresinski.
The Fourth World is a concept, that
commonly can be defined as: "The poorest of the
poor." From my point of view a better definition could be:
those who live in the First World (developed countries) and are
excluded or at risk of exclusion by society.
They are men, women and children near the total exclusion. What`s more, they do not enjoy the fundamental rights that
the rest of society receive. This situation is
created when wealth is distributed unevenly, causing
an abysmal gap between rich and poor.
- Have you ever heard this concept?
- Which situation do you think they are living during this strong crisis?
- Which are your feelings towards this people?
- Is there any solution?
I am increasingly hearing the concept of “Fourth World”, but , as Hugo has suggested in the meaning of being poor inside developed countries; the “First World”.
ReplyDeleteThere has always been a minority in rich societies who have suffered from social exclusion and poverty in comparison with the rest of it. This idea of “Fourth World” has been reinforced even more with the emergence of the current crisis in Europe, and this situation has damaged these collectives severely during this period.
Taking in account the crisis that has overcome our country, it will be very difficult to find a solution for these people, and it is undoubtable that this number will increase considerably.
Nowadays, we are getting, increasingly, more concerned about this recent social marginalization: the fourth world. As Hugo and Alex detailed, this is a building issue in the first world. This is obviously a direct result of the economic crisis we’re going through.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it may be true that the vast majority of people have seen themselves affected by the crisis, people tend to ignore all those who find themselves unable to pay for their basic necessities, such as: food, home, sanity, and so on. I think that we are all conscientious about the state of these people, but not in the depth that it requires. For them, every day is a challenge and they have no other option than to accept it and try to bind the ties of their shattered lives.
I consider that it is very difficult, grazing the impossible, to eradicate completely world-wide poverty, as it is a problem that cannot be solved in the times of crisis we’re living. Despite this, if we all put a grain of sand, this issue will be finally solved, leading to a better standard of life for everyone.
Ana Las Hayas
The fourth world, as Hugo has commented, is a name given to those people who live in hard situations at places where there are also rich people. This usually takes place at cities, where there’s a clear difference between this two contrasting worlds.
ReplyDeleteI had actually heard this concept many times, especially in the last few years, as this kind of situations have increased a great deal all around the world.
In my opinion, I think that this people are living through very tough extreme situations during the crisis, because as we all know, the majority of them have nothing; no food, no house, no sanity and no money to live with on their daily lives.
My feelings towards these people are of empathy as I think that it is not fair for people to live in these situations, because everyone has the right to be able to have something to eat, to go to the doctor, or to have somewhere to sleep, and in my opinion, the best way of finishing with this is by making people conscious of this so that everyone can help them, either by helping them on their lives or by giving money: everything can be useful. So in conclusion, one of the solutions to end with this is by helping.
The fourth world, as you all commented, is the poor people in the first world, and yes, maybe is not the same poverty as those in the third world, such as Africa or South America, but is one of the hardest poverties you can live in.
ReplyDeleteThis is, from my point of view, because in the third world people are not very used to having much money or living in very good conditions, but a person that has been living in a developed country, such as Spain or Germany, and has then lost it all, is going to suffer much more than a person that is used to not living the best life.
However, I don’t want you to think that I’m saying that the third world lives good because it is obvious that their life is very, very difficult, but, without sounding disrespectful, they haven’t tasted what we “first worlders” have.
So I think that, even if both “worlds” are starving or trying to survive the cold winter, people in the fourth world is having the worst part.
In conclusion, the fourth world is the worst thing the, presumably, “advanced” societies have, and we should start by fixing this.
As Hugo has said before, the fourth world is basically all those how are living in the first world but they don’t have money to survive in a technological jungle. Always there have been people living in these circumstances. Moreover people are arriving to a stage in life that can’t afford living and it’s increasing each time quicker. Based on a video I have seen recently I have the courage to say that this will last forever at more or less amount but forever. A very easy example is thinking in a small class. One teacher gives 3 pupils each 2 Euros, but he asks for the money back but with an interes of 5 cents. How can a pupil return 2,05 Euros if he has only 2?
ReplyDeleteThe only way is getting 0, 05 from the other so this will make that people can pay the refound but not everyone can. If the amount of money is too big and there is no work and people can not earn money there will be more and more people out in the streets.
I think this is because the governments are making more and more money and our money is losing its value, so the prices are going up and the income of each person is not changing or going down.
pablo cubero
As Hugo has said before, the fourth world is basically all those how are living in the first world but they don’t have money to survive in a technological jungle. Always there have been people living in these circumstances. Moreover people are arriving to a stage in life that can’t afford living and it’s increasing each time quicker. Based on a video I have seen recently I have the courage to say that this will last forever at more or less amount but forever. A very easy example is thinking in a small class. One teacher gives 3 pupils each 2 Euros, but he asks for the money back but with an interes of 5 cents. How can a pupil return 2,05 Euros if he has only 2?
ReplyDeleteThe only way is getting 0, 05 from the other so this will make that people can pay the refound but not everyone can. If the amount of money is too big and there is no work and people can not earn money there will be more and more people out in the streets.
I think this is because the governments are making more and more money and our money is losing its value, so the prices are going up and the income of each person is not changing or going down.